Hero HX250R Launch Delayed to Complete Product Development Locally: Report

The major product development of the HX250R motor was done with the US-based EBR, which recently filed for bankruptcy.

The launch of HX250R motorcycle--the highlight of Hero Motocorp display at 2014 Auto Expo--is reportedly delayed as the largest two-wheeler maker of the country has just started the process of bringing back the product development of models to India it was doing with Eric Buell Racing (EBR).

The major product development of the HX250R motor was done with the US-based EBR, which filed for bankruptcy recently. As a result, the remaining development of Hero HX250R needs to be completed locally, leading to delay in launch, reports indianautosblog.

"Clearly with the company (EBR) going into receivership surely there is slight push back in the timelines. But we are continuing to work on those products. In fact we are doing all the work over here in India," said Hero MotoCorp chairman and managing director, Pawan Munjal to reporters at the inaugural general meeting of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in Delhi.

"The process is under finalisation as we speak. I believe it is just a matter of couple of weeks now that we bring in here and restart work on those products," Munjal added.

HX250R received positive response at the 2014 Auto Expo. It is also considered as the flagship vehicle for the Indian motorcycles manufacturer's international operations.

The motorcycle was spied testing in India recently. The 250cc vehicle uses telescopic forks on the front and a five-step adjustable monoshock at the rear. Hero HX250R runs on the Pirelli rubbers and disc brakes on both the tyres.

HX250R is 2085mm long, 735mm wide and 1145mm in height with a ground clearance of 145mm. One of the highlights of the model at Auto Expo was the weight, which was just 136kg despite being a sports bike.

The motorcycle also comes with clip-on handles. HX250R is powered by a 249cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve engine that uses liquid-cooling and fuel-injection to produce 31bhp of power and 26Nm of torque mated to a 6-speed transmission.

The new Hero motorcycle will be pitted against the likes of Honda CBR 250R and Kawasaki Ninja 300 and is likely to be priced around Rs 1.50 lakh.